That new bacterium species we synthesized

[firecat]

Link via brooksmoses

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100519/full/news.2010.253.html
(emphasis mine)

The custom-built genome is a near-exact replica of its natural counterpart, with just a few nonessential genes removed and a small number of sequence errors that don't affect the organism's function. The group also added four special 'watermark sequences' to help to distinguish it from the original version. The sequences contain a hidden code of names and sentences, along with a URL and an e-mail address for would-be decoders to contact.

.........

I don't know why, but that's the part that blows my mind the most.

(The icon is from a report about an earlier genetic experiment that gave trichromatic color vision to mice.)

Comments

[epi-lj.livejournal.com]

Remember the scene in Blade Runner where he uses some sort of electron microscope to read the maker's mark off of an artificially-grown snake scale?